Central Software Platform
The software forms the central value-addition of the Park Assist platform. It translates the images detected by the camera and the output from the image processing into useable applications in the following ways:
- It enables customers to engage the system to find empty car spaces and lost cars.
- It enables operators to control their car park by ensuring time-restricted bays and monitored, zoned parking spaces are only used by approved vehicles.
- It enables owners to unlock additional value from their car park by improving space allocation and introducing tiered parking.
End-to-End Parking Integration
Smartphone API
As more and more people switch to smartphones like the Apple iPhone, Android and Microsoft Mobile, sites are developing applications that incorporate the Find My Car feature and other features from Park Assist.
Park Assist has an API and specifications that make the process of developing an application for smartphones easier.
Westfield has been a leader in smartphone application development, with separate versions for their Australian properties and their newest site in Stratford, London, at the Olympic Village. Find My Car is part of larger applications that include store directories and a wealth of information on each shopping center.
Revenue Equipment Integration
Integrating the M3 Park Assist System with the revenue control system in a car park provides unique revenue, management features and security.
Links can be incorporated at various points in the management system, but three elements have the greatest impact for drivers:
- As a driver collects the pay ticket at the entrance, the license plate information can be linked to the pay ticket and then a parking location. This way, if a vehicle parks in a premium space the driver will automatically be charged when paying.
- The Find My Car feature can also be accessed from the pay station, automatically providing the location of the parked car to the driver as they pay for parking, without having to manually enter the license plate information.
- As a driver collects the pay ticket at the entrance, the license plate information can be linked to the pay ticket. When a driver leaves the car park, the information can be verified to provide greater security.
